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THE HONGKONG WKËELÝ PŘESS AND
Provincial Treasurer (Fau-Tai) of Hu-peh province, has been promoted to Acting-Governor of Kwei Chan Province. There will be a large gathering of officials in the Viceroy's Yamen to-day when congratulations will be offered to Viceroy Shum on his brother's promotion.
KWAN TUNG LOTTERY FAILS,
The lottery hitherto carried on under the name of the Yuet-Tung Lottery bas lost all its capital and has suspended business. The numerous lotteries that have been started in almost every important centre in China, and the competition that they have created have made the sale of tickets a very difficult matter | of late. The tickets could not be readily placed and the payment of winnings to successful members has lately exceeded the amount received for tickets sold, hence the discomfiture of the concern. No tickets have been issued for the current month.
THE GOVERNORSHIP OF KWANG-SI. .~~
Li-King-Hi has, with Imperial sanction, resigned the governorship of Kwang.Si owing to ill-health, and an edict has be n received by Viceroy Shum appointing Lum-Sui-Nin gover- nor of Kwang-Si.
A PLUCKY SPOKTSMAN.
A few days ago two of our local sportsmen went to Wushow on a shooting expedition and returned here yesterday with a very creditable bag: 42 snipes, 8 pheasants, 16 partridges and the copy of a tiger's foot prints. It appears that in the jungles behind the Shao-King Hills Mr. Schoeler, who is a member of the club of "chasseurs de casquettes," of New York, was confronted with a full grown Shao-King tiger. The sportsman stood firm but the tiger immediately disappeared in the jungle. (tame is said to be plentiful this year.
12th October, 1905. CANTON-HANKOW RAILWAY,
On the 10th inst. Viceroy Shum received a telegraphic message from His Excellency Viceroy Chang-Chi Tung requesting him to send deputies to the head office of the Railway Co. on the Shameen to take over the concern. In the afternoon Viceroy Shum deputed Wong-Ping-Yan (Taotai) who pro- ceeded to the general office accompanied by the Assistant Perfect, two Taota's and two representatives of the gentry. When they arrived at the head office they were informed that Mr. N. Cito, the representative of the American Development Co. appointed to hand over the concern to the Chinese Government, had not yet arrived but was expected the following day, the 11th instant. Mr. Cito arrived yesterday and the formalities connected with the surrendering of the company's pro- perties and rights were immediately performed. The following is a list of what has to be delivered to the Chinese Government :--
1. All plans showing the route of the railway.
2. All title deeds of land purchased by the railway company.
3. Account books and monies in hand. 4. All materials purchased and at present
in stock.
5. All the surveying instruments. 6. All plans and documents showing the extent of the line already constructed.
7. Plant, etc., concerning the Fatahan-Sai- nam branch lines.
8 All account books showing the working accounts of the Fatshan-Sainam branch lines.
It was agreed that the transfer will be made to-day.
CHAU TUNG sang's case.
In a previous letter I mentioned that Chau Tung-sang's tenth concubine had been released from custody by order of Viceroy Shum at the request of her medical attendant, Doctor Raz- lag. I have since been informed that she has not been liberated. It appears that Dr. Razlag went to the Tai-Teng Yamen with a letter from the Viceroy authorizing her release, but somehow or other the Prefect refuse to deliver her up; It is said that the prefect had previously received orders not to release any relatives of Chau- Tung-sang. They are all to remain in custody as a guarantee for Chau-Tung-Sang's personal appearance to stand his trial here and until full payment of the deficit is made. All the male and
female servants have been released with the ex-
ception of Chan-Tung Sang's chief accountant,
(October 16, 1905.
the
who will be kept until all the information | able to retain Mr. Joseph Lind's services, as required is pumped out of him. Chinese law there was no one else acquainted with provides powerful means to set unwilling management of the Fatshan Sainam line. tongues going and the Viceroy, in ordering The suggestion was endorsed by the other them to be applied, is within his rights. Torture members, and a letter was immediately sent to is not abolished yet, and this medieval art of Mr. Joseph Lind informing him that he was extracting confessions has no secrets for the appointed manager. This concluded the work Celestial inquisitors.
of the day and the parties are to meet again to-morrow.
Another seizure has been made to-day at Honam. Chau-Tung-Sang owns a garden there said to be worth at lea-t 200.000 tsels, properties having greatly increased in value in that district. The garden bears the name of Yeong-Chi-Hin and is 70 cheong long and 65 obeong wide, approximately 96,000 square yards.
FIRE.
At about 10 a.m. yesterday morning a fire broke out in Wong-Sha near the Cheong Kwong Temple. Hundreds of pumps responded to the gong calls and the conflagration was prevented from extending. Two family houses were, however, burnt to the ground.
KITES AND TELEPHONES.
There is no plaything more agreeable to the Chinese kiddies than the kite. Kite flying is prac'ised all over the Celestial empire by young and old alike. It is a very ancient pastime. | The sport is at its height at this time of the year and thousands of children ascend the city walls to fly their little kites. This year, however, owing to the installation of the telephone system in Canton, thousands of kites came to an untimely end on the wires enciroling the walled city. In their efforts to disentangle than the little boys pull on the strings and in many places have tied up 50 or 60 wires to- gather. The result is obvious; complaints have been received by the central telephone | exchange from all quarters. In many places
it
was absolutely impossible to 180 the instruments. Four or fire different voices, if not languages, being simultaneously heard. The telephone company have had to engage a special staff to keep their wires clear of kites.
13th October, 1905.
CANTON HANKOW RAILWAY.
At 10 o'clock yesterday morning, Taotai Wong Ping-Yau accompanied by several officials; Fung Sik-Ka, assistant prefect, Wen Tsung- Kao, taotai; Wong Taan-Ting, deputy of the Canton-Honkow railway, and two representatives of the local gentry, Lai Kwai-Pui, and Leong Sui-Shan called at the Yuet- Han railway head office on the Shameen to take over the concern from Mr. N. Cito. Of the eight items I reported yesterday only the following business was tran- sacted, viz:-The authorities took over three cases of plans, one case of title deeds and all the surveying instruments. After going throngh everything very carefully, item by item, accord. ing to the inventory, the party proceeded with Mr. Cito to the offices of the International Banking Corporation to go through the working accounts and to take over the money deposited on current account in that bank. After the accounts were gone through it is said that Mr. Cito asked for remuneration for services rendered in coming to Canton to hand over the concern. Wong Ping-Yau replied that the Chinese Government had redeemed the concern from the American Development Company and that it was the latter's duty to appoint a delegato to make the transfer; that Mr. Cito's work was part of the contract, and that he was entitled to no remuneration whatever from the Chinese authorities. A hot discussion ensued between Wen Taotai and Mr. Cito in the course of which the former, picking up a box of matobes which was lying on the bank manager's table, said: Mr. Cito, suppose you were to sell me this box Dot your duty to deliver it over to of matches, is me before I pay for it?" He further argued that it was the buyer's right to see that what he had bought was delivered to him as it was part of the contract. He pointed out that it was the Development Co.'s duty to send somebody to discussion continued and arguments deliver everything over, item by item. The developed on both sides. They were finally persuaded to drop the matter for the present.
were
Before leaving, Wen Taotai told the_manager of the bank that as the accounts had been handed over no one could draw any money out of the railway account without his authority. When the party returned to Wong Taotai's Yamen, Mr. Wen suggested that it was advis-
Taotai Wong Ping-Yau was appointed by Viceroy Chan Chi-Tung to take over the rail- way concern. He is to be the director of the Kwan-tung section of the line; and although he is over sixty years of age, no better selection could have been made. Wen Taotai, who was lately director of the railway, has been appointed as Wong Taotai's assistant.
THE BOYCOTT.
I reported yesterday that a telegram had been sent by the Canton committee to Leong Shing, Chinese Minister at Washington, re- questing him to forward particulars regarding the new Chine e Labour Exclusion Act, and when Congress will discuss the matter. The follow- ing is the Minister's reply by cable:-"The terms of the new Act will be settled between the United Sta'es Minister in Peking and the Wai-Wu-Pu. However, when the Congress meets again to discuss this important question, I shall endeavour to do my utmost to secure lavourable terms. Communicate this to the Amoy and Shanghai committees.”
A COSTLY BED.
Amongst the furniture seized in Chan Tung- Sang's house there is said to be a very fine bed worth 30,000 taels. It is beautifully carved and inlaid with ivory and mother-of-pearl. The front is ornamented with two beautiful ivory peacocks whose eyes are set with rea! pearls. Diamonds are also chased hers and there in the designs, and the whole is said to present a very rich and pleasing sight. It was Chau Tung-Sang's No 1 wife's bed. It is reported that Chau Tung-Sang's whereabouta are still unknown. Viceroy Yuan Shi-Kai has replied in response to a telegram from Viceroy Shum that Chau had left Peking and that no answer was received from the Shanghai Taotai concerning Chau's whereabouts.
き
ME. HỌ TUNG.
14th October.
Mr. Ho-Tung came up to Canton on the 12th instant to recruit his health.
He s'ayed a couple of days in one of the large monasteries in the White Cloud Mountains and has since left for the Sai-chiu Hills accompained by Mrs. Ho- Tung, a lady cousin, and a retinue of about 18 servants.
AN IMPUDENT YOUNG MAN.
A Englishman by the name of Haynes came up to Canton the day before yesterday in the company of a Hongkong grisette, by the 8.8. Kwongchow. After signing chits on beard the steamer for meals, passage, and half-a- dozen bottles of the best champagne the two pleasure-seekers landed on the Shameen and went to the Victoria Hotel where chairs were hired and a substantial tiffin ordered to be sent to the five-story Pagoda. When the party came back the young man blaudly confessed to the manager of the hotel that he had but 35 cents left in his pocket to meet the bill. Haynes is locked up in the Consular Gaol.
EXECUTIONS.
Seventy criminals, who were arrested in the Shun-Tak, Sun-Wui and Heung-Shan districts, were executed yesterday at the Chui-Tan-Shan military station near Kong-moon,
NEW ORDINANCÉS.
The following ordinances, passed by the Legislative Council, have been assented to by H.E. the Governor on behalf of His Majesty the King:-
Ordinance No. 8 of 1905.-An Ordinance to apply a sum` not exceeding five million seven hundred and seventeen thousand two hundred and seventy-six dollars to the Public Service of the year 1906.
Ordinance No. 9 of 1995.—An Ordinance to amend "the New Territories Land Ordinance, 1905."
Ordinance No. 10 of 1905.—An Ordinance
relating to the Maintenance of Married Women deserted by their husbands.